Kael returned to his room to change his clothes and retrieve the coin sword and coin mask.
After getting ready, he gave Eren, who was in the room with him, several instructions on how to get to the dungeon and other details.
Kael wanted to avoid encountering some of the wild animals mentioned by old Roy. He wasn't like those hot-blooded young men who foolishly risked their lives.
If it were possible to avoid constant fighting, he would do so. However, he was very clear about one thing:
In this world, where the primordial law dictates that the strong devour the weak and only the fittest prevail, these rules have always existed, whether on Earth or here.
Everyone had insatiable ambitions, unattainable goals, and dreams, which plunged them into a perpetual struggle to seize every opportunity, no matter how small, to fulfill them.
Kael was clear about his purpose: the Divine Throne.
He didn't care if he had to become a ruthless, cruel, and destructive demon to fulfill his ambitions. He didn't care if he had to walk a lonely path full of thorns.
What if he failed?
Kael didn't care in the slightest. He would accept it.
That was the path he had chosen!
His eyes glowed with a dark light. He looked at Eren and ordered:
"Let's go."
...
Once they left the mansion, they quickly passed through the city; they didn't stop to look around, there was no time for that, and soon they found themselves in front of the large snow-covered forest.
Kael opened the image that the System had saved, and a hologram, visible only to him, appeared before his eyes, showing the map of Kiran Mountain.
"These points around the dungeons are the territories of those animals."
He calmly analyzed the map before closing the window and starting to run toward the dungeon, accompanied by Eren.
The clouds covering the sky moved slowly, revealing the sun bathing Kiran Mountain in light.
A gentle winter breeze swayed the branches of the leafless trees and bushes, creating a chilling sound. In the distance, the murmurs of wild animals could be heard, and the buzzing of insects enlivened the forest.
In the middle of that place, two human figures could be seen moving quickly through the undergrowth.
As they passed by some bushes, the accumulated snow fell to the ground with their footsteps, hiding their tracks. Several birds watched the two figures pass by before taking flight into the sky.
Kael kept his breathing under control. White steam escaped from his mouth, and his eyes moved quickly, scanning the surroundings to avoid the animals lurking in the snow.
Eren, though unaccustomed to it, kept pace with Kael, but his breathing was heavy, and sweat ran down his forehead. His lungs burned, and his throat was dry.
Footprints were left in the snowy ground as they advanced. Gradually, the sunlight grew stronger, and the trees began to thin out.
After a few minutes, Kael and Eren emerged from the forest. A snow-covered meadow stretched out before them. Animals could be seen, but they weren't dangerous enough.
With steam coming out of his mouth, Kael said to Eren:
"We'll rest for five minutes."
Eren nodded, exhausted, and leaned against a tree. He took out a leather canteen, took a big gulp of water, and glanced sideways at Kael.
With the little time he had spent with him, he had a rough idea of what Kael was like, but he wasn't sure.
Why did he feel that Kael only cared about himself and his mother.
What a strange person... Eren thought.
He still remembered the day he met him at the orphanage, especially the part where he said:
"Without a clear path."
He had been thinking about it all that time. He didn't understand what he meant by "path," and that only made the questions in his mind grow steadily. He wanted to understand, study, and spend more time with Kael.
Perhaps, by observing it closely enough, he might find an answer to the endless questions swirling around in his head.
Kael watched the floating hologram of the map with indifference, his gaze slowly sliding over the marked points as he memorized routes, access points, and possible ambushes. At his side, without even turning around, he noticed Eren's curious gaze resting on him.
He's already started to get curious...
As expected. It didn't surprise him in the least; in fact, he found it useful.
With so many years of accumulated experience, Kael clearly understood human nature. Curiosity was a sign, an indicator of internal movement.
When a person began to question, to take an interest, it was because a purpose had begun to form in their mind, however insignificant it might be: to meet someone, to gain power, to move up a rank.
And a person with a purpose... was easier to use.
Manipulating someone without direction was like pushing a round stone uphill. But when someone had a goal, even if it was a trivial desire or disguised as morality, it was enough to channel that impulse.
A little push in the right direction, and they would run down the path you chose... believing it was theirs.
Kael closed the hologram slowly. A faint winter breeze ruffled his hair.
Eren... keep watching. The more you observe, the more useful you will be.
Kael sensed an unnatural silence in the forest. Not even an insect. Nothing.
Oh, no.
His body tensed, and he began to sense more movement from the forest.
Then...
"AUUU!"
A loud howl echoed, followed by growls.
Grrrr, Grrrr, Grrrr, Grrrr...
Kael's expression turned rigid.
The sounds coming from the bushes grew louder and louder. From his spine, an ominous feeling began to spread throughout his body.
"Eren, run!" he shouted and began to run. Fortunately, they had rested.
With Kael's sudden shout, Eren didn't hesitate for a second and also ran without looking back.
"Woof, woof!"
"Woof, woof!"
The silver wolves emerged from the shadows of the trees, their fur shining like burnished metal. Their eyes, cold and yellow, did not blink; their fangs, sharp and dark, were pure iron.
They ran after them.